DRIVER'S LICENSE: PHYSICIAN'S REC. S.B. 1414 & 1415: FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bills 1414 and 1415 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Dennis Olshove
Committee: Transportation

CONTENT
Senate Bill 1414 would amend the Public Health Code to do the following:

-- Provide that a physician would have no affirmative obligation to report to the Secretary of State (SOS) or warn third parties about a person's mental or physical qualifications to operate a motor vehicle, but allow a physician to do so.
-- Require a physician making a report to recommend a suspension of at least six months for a routine operator's license, and at least 12 months for a commercial license.
-- Immunize a physician from civil and criminal liability to the patient or a third party who could have been injured by the patient's actions, if the physician did not make a report, or if the physician made a report in good faith and documented an "episode" in his or her file or medical record.


The bill would define "episode" as either or both of the following:

-- An experience derived from a condition that causes or contributes to loss of consciousness, blackout, seizure, a fainting spell, syncope, or any other impairment of the level of consciousness.
-- An experience derived from a condition that causes an impairment of an individual's driving judgment.


Senate Bill 1415 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow the SOS to consider a written medical opinion and recommendation from the personal physician of an applicant for a driver license in examining the applicant's physical and mental qualifications to operate a motor vehicle.
The bills are tie-barred to each other.


Proposed MCL 333.25124 (S.B. 1414) Legislative Analyst: Craig Laurie
MCL 257.309 (S.B. 1415)

FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Date Completed: 9-10-08 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb1414&1415/0708